The 39-year-old brave officer was also given a gun salute. His pyre was lighted by the officer's elder brother Col D N Rai, who is also from the Gorkha Rifles like his sibling.

Members of his regiment and Rashtriya Rifles unit were also present along with top officers from the ArmyHeadquarters.

Colonel M N Rai lost his life fighting terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir's Tral on January 27, just a day after beingawarded Yudh Seva Medal.

The martyred colonel's wife, two daughters and son were present for the last rites. The Commanding Officer was hailed by the Army for always leading from the front in operations and reaching out to youths in militancy-hit areas.

Speaking to reporters yesterday, the Army chief had said: "He was a very brave officer and he had been awarded YudhSeva Medal on January 26. And it is an example of leadership that the moment he got information about two terrorists in that area, he immediately went in".